The Bottle Store

After work, Mark asked me if I would go with him to Johannesburg to buy some groceries. On the way he stopped his car at Benny Goldberg’s Bottle Store, and asked me to enter the store with him. I was reluctant, for it was against my principles. After much nagging, I followed him.

At the entrance of the store I noticed a square bookshelf. I searched to see what these books were all about. Looking up, my eyes fell upon a book titled, “Springs of Jewish Wisdom.”

Surprised to find such a book in a bottle store I opened it and read:

“God conceals Himself from the mind of man, but reveals Himself to His heart.”

On the following page was written:

“Have I not commanded thee: Be strong and of good courage, be not affrighted either be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9

I turned to the next page to continue to hear from God. It was Written:

“The LORD bless thee and keep thee, the LORD make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, the LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6: 24-26

I was speechless! Could such a thing ever happen in a bottle store? I whispered, “Lord, you are really talking to me in a bottle store. Praise the Lord!”

Full of joy and excitement, I paged through the whole booklet. I followed my husband into the store and as he stopped, I shared with him the contents of this booklet.

Surprised, he smiled. I asked him whether he could buy it for me, but on learning the price he made it clear that it was too expensive, with which I agreed. I really wanted to keep it, and wished it cost two Rands only. I thought it would have been a reasonable price for its size. Then after persuading him that this gift will do for my passed birthday, Mark agreed to buy it, and so we went to the cashier to pay.

Looking at the booklet, she said,

“This book does not belong to our store. Someone must have left it here.” I asked quickly, “Then, can I have it?” “Its yours,” she replied.

Triumphantly, I walked out of the store with this precious book in my hand and near to my heart, for through it I had heard from my precious Lord!

This event touched Mark deeply, yet he could not admit that such a thing could happen. He said, “There must be more of them on the shelf?”

I immediately challenged him to go in with me and find out for himself. We went in and looked. True enough there were none!